Faucet fountain



g 1969 J.S. How/mo ET AL 3,462,080

FAUCET FOUNTAIN Filed March 13. 1967 5 SheetSQSheet 1,

A VENTOR. (Lu /Viv 5. llbwhea I Jom/ E. DEM/mes Aug 19, 1969 ps. HOWARDET AL 3,462,080

' FAUCET FOUNTAIN Filed March 15, 1967 r 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 g N N J EDEM/725E m/m MM United States Patent O FAUCET FOUNTAIN JoArm S. Howard,Inglewood, and John E. Demaree,

South Pasadena, Calif, assignors to Franklin S. Briles, Rolling Hills,Calif.

Filed Mar. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 622,660 Int. Cl. E03!) 9/20; E03c N08 US.Cl. 239-47 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus connectable toa faucet permitting selective use of the faucet as a drinking fountain.A pivoted vane or flap underneath the body of the apparatus is normallybiased upwardly to a closed position wherein a relatively light flow ofwater from the faucet will be diverted by the vane upwardly through afountain spout in the body. A relatively heavy flow of water from thefaucet will cause the vane to pivot downwardly rendering the fountaininoperative and providing downward flow of water from the faucet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally tothe plumbing art, and it relates more particularly to faucets such asthose located in various places about the home.

Heretofore, drinking fountains have not come into any appreciable usagein the home, and Water for drinking or for rinsing out the mouth whenbrushing the teeth is normally obtained by pouring water from a faucetinto a glass, or sometimes by ducking the head under a faucet andpouring the water directly from the faucet into the mouth. It would be auseful convenience to have a drinking fountain at one or more differentlocations in the home, as for example over the bathroom basin, over thekitchen sink, and elsewhere where there may be a faucet associated witha sink, basin or washtub. However, because of space limitations andexpense, such drinking fountains are rarely, if ever, employed in thehome.

In order to conserve space, and to save expense by utilizing only theconventional water piping which is required for the faucet, it would beparticularly desirable to embody such a drinking fountain in combinationwith a faucet. Also, to save the expense and effort of replacingexisting faucets, it would be desirable for the drinking fountain to bean accessory that could be attached to a conventional faucet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of the presentinvention to provide drinking fountain apparatus connectable to a waterfaucet which includes diversion means selectively movable between afountain flow position wherein water is diverted from the faucetupwardly through a drinking fountain spout, and a faucet flow positionwherein downward flow of water from the faucet is permitted.

Another object of the invention is to provide faucet fountain apparatusof the character described wherein the diversion means comprises a vaneor flap pivoted to the body of the fountain, said vane when set in aclosed position being biased to remain closed against a relatively lightflow of water from the faucet so as to divert such light flow upwardlythrough a drinking fountain spout, a relatively heavy flow of water fromthe faucet automatically moving the vane to an open position wherein itpermits the water from the faucet to flow downwardly, terminating theupward flow of water through the fountain spout.

Another object is to provide a faucet fountain of the Patented Aug. 19,1969 character described wherein the diversion vane is biased toward itsclosed position over its entire range or movement, whereby the movementof the vane between its closed and open positions for effecting thefountain and conventional faucet functions, respectively, isaccomplished automatically according to the position of adjustment ofthe faucet flow control valve.

Another object is to provide a faucet fountain of the characterdescribed wherein the diversion vane is arranged to remain open, once ithas been moved to an open position wherein it permits the water to flowdownwardly, until it is manually actuated for return to its closedposition.

Another object is to provide a faucet fountain of the characterdescribed wherein the diversion vane is so mounted as to have threediscrete operative positions; a closed position wherein it diverts thefaucet flow through the fountain spout; an intermediate, partiallyopened, inclined position wherein the vane deflects the flow of waterforwardly and downwardly in a fan-shaped spray ideal for rinsing thehair or other purposes where access to water flow directly underneaththe faucet is inconvenient or difiicult; and a fully opened positionwherein a generally conventional downward flow of water from the faucetis permitted.

A further object is to provide a faucet fountain of the characterdescribed which is combinable with a faucet aerator of a type havingimperforate side wall construction to provide solid, unaerated waterfrom the fountain spout, but to provide aerated water when the faucet isemployed for a downward fiow of water.

A further object is to provide a faucet fountain of the characterdescribed which includes adjustment means for varying the direction offiow of water from the fountain spout.

A still further object is to provide faucet fountain apparatus of thecharacter described which has connecting means thereon adapting it forattachment to existing faucets of conventional construction.

An additional object is to provide a faucet fountain device of thecharacter described which is particularly simple in construction andoperation and which is economical to produce.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription and drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of oneform of faucet fountain according to the present invention, the fountainbeing shown unattached to either an aerator or a faucet.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the faucet fountain shown in FIGURE1, illustrating the fountain operatively connected to a faucet by meansof an intermediate aerating device.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, longitudinal, vertical section, with a portionin elevation, illustrating internal details of construction of thefaucet fountain and aerator combination shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a rear end elevation view showing the fountain and aeratorcombination of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view illustrating a second form of theinvention embodying a separate biasing spring for urging the diversionvane toward its closed position.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view illustrating a third form of the inventionwhich embodies manual means for initiating movement of the diversionvane from its open position toward its closed position.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation View of the form of the invention shown inFIGURE 6, wherein the faucet fountain has been attached to a faucetaerator.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevation view, partly insection, illustrating the form of the invention that is shown in FIGURES6 and 7 with the diversion vane lodged in its fully opened position.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical section,with a portion in elevation, illustrating shoulder means for limitingthe extent of engagement between the faucet fountain and the aerator.

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view, partly in section, illustrating a fourthembodiment of the invention which includes handle means for manipulatingthe diversion vane between its open and closed positions.

FIGURE 11 is a side elevation view of the form of the invention shown inFIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a top plan view illustrating a fifth and presentlypreferred form of the invention having three operative positions, aclosed fountain position, an intermediate faucet flow rinsing fanposition and a fully opened faucet flow position.

FIGURE 13 is a side elevation view of the form shown in FIGURE 12, withthe diversion flap in the closed or fountain flow position, the devicebeing attached to a faucet aerator.

FIGURE 14 is a bottom plan view of the form shown in FIGURES 12 and 13with the diversion flap in the closed position.

FIGURE 15 is a rear end elevation view of the form shown in FIGURES12-l4 with the diversion flap still in the closed position.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical section ofthe form shown in FIGURES 12-15 with the diversion flap shown in solidlines in the closed position and shown in phantom lines in its fullyopened position.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged, longitudinal, vertical section, partly inelevation, of the form shown in FIGURES 12-16, with the diversion flapillustrated in its intermediate, fan spray position.

FIGURE 18 is a top plan view of the diversion flap employed in the formof the invention shown in FIG- URES 12-17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring at first to FIGURES 1 to 4 of thedrawings, which illustrate a first form of the invention, the faucetfountain 10 shown in these figures includes a hollow body 12 which ispreferably composed of a generally rigid plastic material, although itmay be made of metal or other suitable material if desired. The body 12has a top wall 14, a pair of side walls 16, a front wall 18' and a rearwall 20, the side, front and rear walls terminating in a generally flatlower edge 22 which circumscribes the body. An adjustable fountainnozzle 24 is disposed forwardly in the top wall 14, and preferablycomprises a ball-and-socket structure wherein the nozzle is a flattenedball with a flow passage therethrough which is universally adjustablymounted in the top wall 14. A flow guide web or plate 26 is preferablydisposed forwardly within the body spaced somewhat downwardly from thefountain nozzle 24 and connected with the front wall 18 and side walls16. The guide web 26 is generally horizontally located, although it maybe inclined slightly forwardly and upwardly from its rearward edge asillustrated in FIGURE 3.

A generally fiat diversion vane or flap 28 is pivotally connected to thebody 12 adjacent the rear end of the body, and is adapted to swing froma closed position as best shown in FIGURE 3 wherein it seats flushagainst the lower edge 22 of the body so as to close olf the bottom ofthe body, to an open position as illustrated in phantom lines in FIGURE2 wherein it extends generally vertically downwardly from the rear ofthe body so as to fully open the bottom of the body. Vane 28 has a pairof integral ears 30* which extend upwardly from opposite sides of thevane proximate its rear edge,

and opposed, aligned pivot pins 32 extend horizontally toward each otherfrom the respective ears 30. The ears 30 seat in respective notches 34in the sides of the body at the rear thereof so that the ears 30 aregenerally faired into the side walls of the body, and the pivot pins 32on the ears are pivotally received in horizontal recesses 36 in thesides of the body.

A cam projection 38 having a curving cam surface projects rearwardlyfrom the center of rear wall 20 of the body, and a pair oflongitudinally arranged slots 40 extend forwardly from the rear edge ofthe diversion vane 28 somewhat inwardly from the side edges thereof soas to provide a central spring web portion 42 of the vane 28intermediate a pair of rearwardly extending spring arms 43 upon whichthe ears 30 are supported, the web portion 42 resiliently engagingagainst the curving cam surface of the cam projection 38. Preferably,the diversion vane or flap 28 is composed of a generally rigid butspringlike plastic material so that the resiliency of the spring webportion 42 and the spring arms 43 will cause the web portion 42 thereofto apply the desired amount of spring biasing force against the camprojection 38 so as to bias the diversion vane 28 toward its closedposition over its entire range of movement from its fully openedposition as shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 2 to its fully closedposition as best shown in FIGURE 3.

Extending downwardly from the top wall 14 into the hollow body 12adjacent rear wall 20 is a tapered sleeve 44 which defines a generallycircular opening through the top wall 14. The sleeve 44 is tapered toprovide frictional engagement thereof with a complementary taperedtubular body 46 of a faucet aerator 48 as best shown in FIG- URE 3, forattachment to a faucet. The upper end of aerator 48 is provided with athreaded coupler 50 which is preferably both internally and externallythreaded for threaded engagement of the aerator 48 with most modernfaucets which will have either external or internal threads thereon.

The tapered frictional coupling not only provides an excellentmechanical connection between the aerator and the faucet fountain unit,but has the additional important function of permitting the correctorientation of the fountain unit relative to the faucet.

Although the faucet fountain 10 has been shown with a sleeve 44 which isparticularly adapted for frictional engagement with a faucet aerator forattachment to a faucet, it is to be understood that if desired, thesleeve 44 may be adapted for direct frictional or threaded connection toa faucet without employing an aerating device as an intermediateconnecting member.

If an aerator is employed, it should be of a type having a closed orimperforate side wall construction so that the increased resistance tofaucet flow when the diversion vane 28 is closed will not cause water tospurt laterally out of openings in the side wall of the aerator.Accordingly, the faucet aerator 48 which is illustrated in the drawingshas a closed side wall construction and obtains air for aerating thewater through an air inlet annulus in the outlet end of the aerator.Thus, the water from the faucet flows downwardly in the aerator 48through a tubular insert 52 having a separator screen 54 therein, theinsert 52 being spaced radially inwardly from the peripheral wall of theaerator by means of a plurality of spacer lugs 56, so as to provide anair inlet annulus 58 between the tubular insert 52 and the peripheralwall of the aerator.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a typical installation wherein the faucet fountain10 is frictionally engaged with faucet aerator 48, the aerator 48 beingfirst threadedly coupled with an internally threaded faucet pouringspout 60 illustrated in phantom lines and then the faucet fountain 10being frictionally engaged with the aerator 48 oriented with thefountain nozzle 24 directly in front of the faucet spout 60.

When the faucet is turned off, the spring biasing action of the webportion 42 of vane 28 against the cam projection 38 will cause thediversion vane 28 to be held in its closed position seated against thelower edge 22 of the body 12. This spring closing force is suflicient tohold the diversion vane 28 closed against a relatively light flow ofwater from the faucet, so that when the faucet is turned on lightly, thewater from the faucet will flow through aerator 48 into the body and bediverted by the vane 28 upwardly through the fountain nozzle 24 toproduce a fountain flow of water. Since aerator 48 is of a type whichobtains its air from the annulus 58 at its discharge end, and since thedischarge end of the aerator is at this time completely immersed inwater and can obtain no air, the flow of water which is dischargedupwardly through the fountain nozzle 24 will be solid, unaerated water,which is desirable in a drinking fountain. The spring closing force onthe vane 28 is preferably sutiicient to support a fountain flow heightof between about 4 and 6 inches, which means that the spring closingforce must be sufficient to oppose a faucet water pressure between about0.14 p.s.i. and about 0.22 p.s.i. Since the maximum fountain height isthus determined by the preselected spring-closing force on the vane, nomatter how suddenly or how far the faucet flow control valve is turnedon, the fountain cannot squirt up or out in an objectionably long streamso as to squirt in the users face or onto the floor.

Adjnstability of the fountain nozzle 24 permits the fountain flow to bedirected to suit the particular user, as for example in a forwardlyarcing flow or straight upwardly. Additionally, it has been found thatfaucet pouring spouts are likely to be tilted in a variety of directionsfrom the vertical positioning illustrated in phantom lines in FIGURE 2,and the adjustability feature of the nozzle 24 permits accommodation forsuch tilting of the faucet pouring spout.

The flow guide web 26 also functions to compensate for undesirablytilted faucet pouring spouts by assuring adequate diversion of water forthe fountain even though the faucet pouring spout may be tiltedforwardly a considerable amount from the normal vertical faucet spoutposit-ion.

If it is desired to use the faucet in the conventional manner, all thatis necessary is to turn on the flow control valve to admit a relativelyheavy flow of water, The force of the heavier fiow will overcome thespring biasing force tending to hold the diversion vane 28 in the closedposition, whereby the vane 28 will swing downwardly and allow water toflow out of the bottom of the device. As soon as the diversion vane 28thus swings downwardly to allow flow out of the bottom, the relativelylarge crosssectional area of the downward flow path will relieve waterpressure from the nozzle 24 and terminate the nozzle flow. The amount ofdeflection downwardly of the diversion vane 28 will depend upon theforce of flow of water from the faucet. Once the bottom of the faucetfountain device has thus become opened a substantial amount, air ispermitted to enter through the air inlet annulus 58 of the faucetaerator 48, whereby the downward flow of water becomes aerated.Accordingly, the shift from a non-aerated flow of water through thedrinking fountain nozzle 24 to an aerated downward flow of water isentirely automatic.

When the faucet is turned off, or the flow is reduced again to arelatively light flow, then the spring biasing force on the diversionvane 28 will cause the vane to automatically close so as to re-establishthe fountain flow of solid water.

The second form 10a of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 5 comprises abody 12a which is similar in most respects to the body 12 of the firstform, and a diversion vane 28a which is likewise similar in mostrespects to the diversion vane 28 of the first form. The body 1211differs from the body 12 only in the absence of a cam projection likethe cam projection 38 and replacement thereof by a spring mountingprojection 62 which extends rearwardly from the upper portion of therear wall of the body. A wire spring 64 composed of a suitablenoncorrosive metal, such as stainless steel, or other suitable springmaterial, is engaged between the body projection 62 and the rear end ofthe diversion vane 28a so as to bias the diversion vane 28a toward itsclosed position. The vane 28a differs from vane 28 of the first form bynot having the slots 40 and the spring web 42, since the action of thespring web 42 and arms 43 is replaced by the biasing action of the wirespring 64. Operation of the second form of the invention which isillustrated in FIGURE 5 is the same as operation of the first form ofthe invention which is shown in FIGURES 1 to 4.

The third form of the invention, which is illustrated in FIGURES 6 to 9,employs the same type of biasing means to urge the diversion vane towardits closed position as the first form shown in FIGURES 1 to 4, butdiffers from the first form by having a ledge on the cam projection forholding the diversion vane in its fully opened position when it has beenopened by a relatively heavy flow of water from the faucet. Manual meansis provided for initiating return of the diversion vane toward itsclosed position.

The third form 10b of faucet fountain shown in FIG- URES 6 to 9 includesa body 12b that is generally similar to the body 12 of the first formshown in FIGURES 1 to 4. However, the body 12b has a modified camprojection 38b having a fiat ledge 66 at its top. The diversion vane orflap 28b has a spring web 42b like the web 42 in the first form of theinvention, but differs from the diversion vane of the first form by theadditon of an ear 68 which projects rearwardly from the web 42b.

A longitudinal passage 70 is provided in one side of the body 12b, andhas an elongated lateral opening 72 at its forward end. A rod 74 isslidably mounted in passage 70, and has an out-turned handle 76 at itsforward end which extends laterally outwardly through the elongatedopening 72. The rearward end of rod 74 is aligned with the ear 68 on thediversion vane 28b when the vane is in its open position.

The diversion vane 28b will normally be biased to its closed position asshown in FIGURES 6 and 7 by the biasing force of the spring Web portion42b of the vane against the cam projection 38b. The fountain will beoperative when a light flow of water is dispensed by the faucet, and thediversion vane 28b will become unseated and will swing downwardly towardits fully opened position in response to a relatively heavy flow ofwater from the faucet. As the vane 28b thus approaches its fully openedposition, the spring web 42b will come into registry with the fiat ledgeportion 66 of the cam projection 38b, at which time the spring biasingforce will move the vane to the fully opened position and lodge it inthis position, even if the faucet is turned off. This permits the faucetto be operated as a normal faucet without any drinking fountainoperation thereof, even, if a light flow of water is discharged from thefaucet, until the diversion vane 28b is manually moved toward its closedposition. Such manual movement is effected by simply pushing rearwardlyon the handle portion 76 of rod 74, so that the rearward end of the rod74 will push rearwardly on the ear 68 so as to apply a clockwise torqueto the pivoted diversion vane 2811 as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, movingthe spring web portion 42b of the diversion vane off of the flat ledge66 and onto the curved portion of the cam projection 38b, at which pointa closing biasing force will be applied to the diversion vane and itwill be swung clockwise to its fully closed position by this biasingforce. It will thus be seen that the biasing action of cam projection38b on the spring web portion 42b of the diversion vane is an overcentertype of biasing action, normally biasing the vane toward its closedposition, but when the vane becomes nearly fully opened, biasing thevane then toward its open position.

A further feature of the invention which is illustrated in connectionwith the third form of the invention, and which is particularly shown inFIGURES 6, 8 and 9, is the employment of a positioning shoulder or ridge78 which projects radially inwardly proximate the lower end of thetapered connecting sleeve 44b, so as to limit the extent of engagementof the faucet aerator into the connecting sleeve 44b. This feature canbe employed in any of the forms of the invention, and limits the extentof the frictional coupling betweeen the connecting sleeve and theaerator so that the faucet fountain can be relatively easily disengagedfrom the aerator if desired.

The fourth form 100 of faucet fountain shown in FIG- URES 1t) and 11 ofthe drawings includes a body 120 having a cam projection 380 with a flatledge at its top similar to the cam projection 38b of the third form.The diversion vane 280 includes a spring biasing web 42c, so thatbiasing of the diversion vane 280 will be similar to that of thediversion vane 28b of the third form; thus, the vane 280 will normallybe biased toward its closed position, but when it approaches its fullyopened position, it will be biased toward its open position and willremain in the open position until manually started toward its closedposition. In the fourth form, the manual means to initiate movement ofthe vane from its fully opened position toward its closed positioncomprises an arm 80 integrally connected to the vane 280 near itsrearward end, and extending forwardly alOng the side of the body, andterminating at a generally forwardly positioned manipulating tab orhandle 82.

FIGURES 12 through 18 illustrate a fifth form of faucet fountain ltld,which is the presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The faucetfountain d has a body 12d with a top wall 14d, side Walls 16d, a frontwall 18d and a rear wall 20d, the top wall 14d being apertured with atapered opening for frictional engagement with a tapered faucet aeratorin the manner heretofore described.

The hollow forward portion of body 12d is closed at its bottom by a flowguide web 26d which, in this form of the invention, comprises a forwardbottom wall of the body. Bottom surfaces of the side walls 16d togetherwith an upwardly stepped recess in the rearward part of this forwardbottom wall 26d provide a generally flat, horizontal lower surface 22dagainst which the diversion vane 28d seats in its closed position fordrinking fountain operation of the device.

An adjustable drinking fountain nozzle 24d of ball-andsocketconstruction is provided in the forwardly and downwardly curving topwall 14d.

The diversion vane 28d is, like in the other previously described formsof the invention, essentially a generally flat flap with a pair of ears30d projecting upwardly from the side edges adjacent the rear endthereof. However, the ears 30d of this form of the invention also extendlaterally outwardly to form a pair of manipulating handles, either oneof which can be grasped to manually control the positioning of thediversion vane 28d. The inner ends of the ears 30d are received inrespective notches 34d in the sides of the body at the rear thereof, theears 30d being pivotally engaged with axially aligned pivot pins 32dwhich project laterally outwardly from the sides of the body in theregion of the body notches 34d. Pivotal engagement of the ears 38:! withpivot pins 32d is accomplished by the provision of inwardly facing,inverted, generally V-shaped recesses or notches 36d in the ears 30d.

The cam projection 38d at the rear of the body in this form of theinvention is preferably simply provided as a relatively sharpright-angle lower rear corner on the body 12d. The diversion vane 28d isprovided with a pair of longitudinally arranged slots 40d which extendforwardly from the rear edge of the diversion vane somewhat inwardlyfrom the side edges thereof to provide a rearwardly, extending, centralspring web 42d intermediate a pair of rearwardly extending spring arms43d upon which the ears 30d are supported. The spring web portion 42d ofthe diversion vane has an upwardly facing cam follower surface 84adjacent its rear edge which is normally resiliently biased against thecam projection 38d by resiliency of the spring web 42d and the springarms 43d. It is to be noted that in this form of the invention toprovide the desired amount of spring force without unduly extending thewidth of the diversion vane, the spring arms 43d may be made somewhatthicker in the vertical direction than the basic thickness of the fiatpart of the diversion vane, as is best seen in FIGURES 13, l5, l6 and 17of the drawings.

The diversion vane 28d can be quickly and easily pivotally engaged withthe body 12d by simply grasping the ears 30d and springing themlaterally outwardly away from each other to provide clearance for thepivot pins 32 between the ears 30d, and when the pivot pins 32d arealigned with the recesses or notches 36d in the ears, releasing the earsso that they will spring inwardly to the operative positions bestillustrated in FIGURES 12, 14 and 15 of the drawings pivotally engagedwith the pins 32d.

The configuration of the upwardly facing cam follower surface 84adjacent the rear edge of the diversion vane is adapted to provide thediversion vane 28d with three discrete operative positions, (1) a fullyclosed position as best shown in FIGURES l3 and 15, and in solid linesin FIGURE 16, wherein the vane is biased closed with a sufficientbiasing force to permit the desired height of drinking fountain flowthrough the fountain nozzle 24d; (2) an intermediate, partially openedposition wherein the diversion vane 28d inclines forwardly anddownwardly as illustrated in FlGURE 17 for deflecting the flow of waterin a forwardly and somewhat downwardly directed fan spray to provide arinsing fan of water; and (3) a fully opened position as illustrated inphantom lines in FIGURE 16 wherein conventional downward faucet flow ispermitted without obstruction from the diversion vane. To provide thesethree discrete operative positions of the diversion vane 28d, theupwardly facing cam follower surface 84 is contoured in a shallowtransverse V-shaped notch having a relatively mild or gradual rearwardincline 86 and a relatively steep forward incline 88. To more sharplydefine the closed (drinking fountain) and partly opened (fan spray)positions, the gradual rearward incline 86 of the cam follower surface84 terminates at its rearward end in a sharply rising rear biasing ridgeand the steep forward incline 88 of the cam follower surface 84terminates at its forward edge in an upwardly projecting stop ridge 92.

When the diversion vane 28d is in its fully closed position as bestillustrated in FIGURE 16, the rear biasing ridge 90 of the cam followersurface 84 is engaged against the underside of cam projection 38d toprovide maximum upward biasing force against the forward part ofdiversion vane 28d. The cam projection 38d, cam follower surface 84 andpivotal mounting of the diversion vane 28d are so arranged that thisclosure biasing force will oppose sufficient water pressure from thefaucet to provide a drinking fountain height of between about 4 and 6inches. Any greater water pressure will overcome this biasing force,pivoting the diversion vane 28d anti-clockwise as illustrated in FIGURE16. As soon as there is a small amount of such opening pivotal movementof the diversion vane, the rear biasing ridge 90 will ride rearwardlyoff of the relatively sharp edge of the cam projection 38d, and theamount of spring biasing force will instantaneously be substantiallyreduced, whereby the downward force of water from the faucet cancontinue to swing the diversion vane 28d downwardly or anti-clockwise asshown in FIGURE 16. As soon as the rear biasing ridge 90 thus rides offof the edge of cam projection 38d, the cam projection edge will thenengage the relatively gradual rearward inclined portion 86 of the camfollower surface, and this rearward incline will further facilitate thedownward swinging of the diversion vane, and in fact may cause anopening cam action which biases the vane toward the open direction.However, this opening movement of the vane will be automaticallyarrested when the relatively sharp or steep forward incline 88 of thecam follower surface 84 engages against the cam projection 38d in themanner illustrated in FIGURE 17. The increased height or depth of thisforward incline 88 that is provided by the forward stop ridge 92 assuresthat the diversion vane 28d will automatically stop at this partiallyopened, intermediate fan spray position illustrated in FIGURE 17. Theforward stop ridge 92 also permits a rinsing fan of substantial force tobe provided before the diversion vane 28d flips downwardly from thepartially opened position of FIGURE 17 to the fully opened positionshown in phantom line in FIGURE 16. Normally, the movement from thepartially opened, fan spray position of FIGURE 17 to the fully openedphantom line position of FIGURE 16 will be accomplished by manipulationof one of the laterally extending handles or ears 30d on the diversionvane.

The angle of incline of the diversion vane 28d is illustrated in FIGURE17 as approximately 40 below the horizontal. While a substantiallylesser angle of incline below the horizontal will also provide a goodfan-shaped spray, it is desirable to have the vane opened to an anglegenerally in the neighborhood of about 40 in order to assure that airwill flow freely upwardly into the aerator so that the rinsing fan willbe aerated. With a substantially lesser opening of the diversion vane,the free circulation of air upwardly into the aerator is likely to beblocked by an excessive accumulation of water underneath the aerator.

The fan spray provided by the intermediate position of the diversionvane illustrated in FIGURE 17 is ideal for rinsing the hair or for anyother purpose where a forwardly directed spray from the faucet is moreconvenient than a direct downward flow of water from the faucet. The fanspray is also convenient for washing the face andhands, because it makesthe flow of water considerably more accessible than the normal downwardflow from a faucet.

In the faucet fountain embodiment shown in FIGURES 12 to 18 the sides ofthe body 12d have been extended laterally in their rearward positionbeyond the arms 43d of the diversion vane and provided with skirts 94which overlap the diversion vane. These side skirts 94 combine with theforward skirt means 96 provided by the stepped construction of thebottom wall 26d to substantially completely enshroud the diversion vanewhere it seats against the flat lower surface 22d, so as to preventobjectionable forward or lateral spraying when the diversion vane isclosed and the device is being employed in its drinking fountaincapacity.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in whatare conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention.

We claim:

1. A faucet fountain which comprises a body having means thereon forattachment to the pouring spout of a water faucet and having adownwardly directed faucet flow opening and an upwardly directedfountain flow opening, the body defining passage means therein providing fluid communication between a faucet pouring spout to which the bodyis attached and both of said openings; diversion means connected to thebody and selectively movable between a fountain flow position wherein itsubstantially closes said faucet flow opening and thereby diverts waterfrom the faucet upwardly through said fountain flow opening, and afaucet flow position wherein it opens said faucet flow opening andallows downward flow of water therefrom, said diversion means comprisinga vane pivotally connected to the body and movable between a closedposition wherein it substantially closes said faucet flow opening and anopen position wherein it opens said faucet flow opening; and springbiasing means engageable between the body and the vane biasing the vaneto remain closed against a relatively light flow of water from thefaucet so as to divert such light flow upwardly through said fountainflow opening, said vane being automatically movable by a relativelyheavy flow of water from the faucet against the force of said biasingmeans to said open position wherein it permits the water from the faucetto flow. downwardly out of said faucet flow opening, the force of saidbiasing means being sufficient to oppose a faucet water pressure betweenabout 0.14 p.s.i. and about 0.22 p.s.i., whereby to produce a fountainflow height between about 4 and 6 inches.

2. A faucet fountain which comprises a body having means thereon forattachment to the pouring spout of a water fapcet and having adownwardly directed faucet flow opening and an upwardly directedfountain flow opening, the body defining passage means therein providingfluid communication between a faucet pouring spout to which the body isattached and both of said openings; diversion means connected to thebody and selectively movable between a fountain flow position wherein itsubstantiallycloses said faucet flow opening and thereby diverts waterfrom the faucet upwardly through said fountain flow opening, and afaucet flow position wherein it opens said faucet flow opening andallows downward flow of water therefrom, said diversion means comprisinga vane pivotally connected to the body and movable between a.. closedposition wherein it substantially closes said faucet opening and an openposition wherein it opens said faucet flow opening; and biasing meansengageable between the body and the vane biasing the vane to remainclosed against a relatively light flow of water from the faucet so as todivert such light flow upwardly through said fountain flow opening, saidvane being automatically movable by a relatively heavy flow of waterfrom the faucet against the force of said biasing means to said openposition wherein it permits the water from the faucet to flow downwardlyout of said faucet flow opening, said biasing means having a maximumeffectiveness proximate the closed position of the vane but becomingineffective when said vane is moved substantially from its closedposition.

3. A faucet fountain as defined in claim 2, which includes handle meansextending from the vane for manual initiation of return movement of thevane from an open position toward its closed position.

4. A faucet fountain which comprises a body having means thereon forattachment to the pouring spout of a water faucet and having adownwardly directed faucet flow opening and an upwardly directedfountain flow opening, the body defining passage means therein providingfluid communication between a faucet pouring spout to which the body isattached and both of said openings; diversion means connected to thebody and selectively movable between a fountain flow position wherein itsubstantially closes said faucet flow opening and thereby diverts waterfrom the faucet upwardly through said fountain flow opening, and afaucet flow position wherein it opens said faucet flow opening andallows downward flow of water therefrom, said diversion means comprisinga vane pivotally connected to the body and movable between a closedposition wherein it substantially closes said faucet flow opening and anopen position wherein it opens said faucet flow opening; and biasingmeans engageable between the body and the vane biasing the vane toremain closed against a relatively light flow of water from the faucetso as to divert such light flow upwardly through said fountain flowopening, said vane being automatically movable by a relatively heavyflow of water from the faucet against the force of said biasing means tosaid open position wherein it permits the water from the faucet to flowdownwardly out of said faucet flow opening, said biasing meanscomprising cam means on the body-and resilient cam follower means on thevane engageable with said cam means.

5. A faucet fountain as defined in claim 4, wherein the vane is composedof resilient material and has a pair of longitudinally arranged slotstherein extending forwardly from the rear edge of the vane inwardly fromthe side edges thereof providing a central spring web intermediate apair of rearwardly extending spring arms, said arms having enlarged earsproximate their rear ends, the pivotal connection of the vane to thebody being effected by pivotal engagement of said ears to the bodyadjacent the rear end of the body.

6. A faucet fountain as defined in claim 5, wherein said pivotalconnection includes a pair of pivot pins extending laterally out of therespective sides of the body adjacent the rear end of the body, andnotches in the inwardly facing surfaces of said ears, said pins beingengageable in said notches by resiliently spreading said ears apart.

7. A faucet fountain as defined in claim 4, wherein said cam followermeans has stop means thereon which lodges against said cam means todefine a partially opened, inclined position of the vane whereindownward flow of water is permitted and the vane deflects the downwardflow outwardly in a fan spray.

8. A faucet fountain which comprises a body having means thereon forattachment to the pouring spout of a water faucet and having adownwardly directed faucet flow opening and an upwardly directedfountain flow opening, the body defining passage means therein providingfluid communication between a faucet pouring spout to which the body isattached and both of said openings; diversion means connected to thebody and selectively movable between a fountain flow position wherein itsubstantially closes said faucet flow opening and thereby diverts waterfrom the faucet upwardly through said fountain flow opening, and afaucet flow position wherein it opens said faucet flow opening andallows downward flow of water therefrom, said diversion means comprisinga vane pivotally connected to the body and movable between a closedposition wherein it substantially closes said faucet flow opening and anopen position wherein it opens said faucet flow opening; and vanepositioning means engageable between said body and said vane definingthree discrete operative positions of the vane, (l) a generallyhorizontal, substantially fully closed position providing upward flow ofwater through said fountain flow opening, (2) an intermediate, partiallyopened, inclined position wherein downward flow of water is permittedand the vane deflects the downward flow outwardly in a fan spray, and(3) a fully opened position wherein the vane extends generallyvertically downwardly from the body and permits generally conventionaldownward faucet flow of water.

9. A faucet fountain as defined in claim 8, wherein said vanepositioning means comprises cam means on the body and resilient camfollower means on the vane engageable with said cam means.

10. A faucet fountain as defined in claim 8, wherein said attachmentmeans comprises a tubular faucet aerator connected to the body of thefountain with its discharge end located in said passage means in thebody, said aerator having thread means thereon for threaded engagementwith a threaded pouring spout, and said aerator having an imperforateperipheral wall and having air inlet means for aeration locatedproximate its discharge end, whereby when said vane is in its said firstoperative position the vane will close off said air inlet means toprovide solid water flow, and when said vane is in its said thirdposition air is available to said air inlet means through said faucetflow opening to provide aerated water flow.

11. A faucet fountain as defined in claim 10, wherein the vane is openedsufficiently far in its said second position so that said fan spray willbe aerated.

12. A faucet fountain as defined in claim 11, wherein the vane in saidsecond position is inclined approximately 40 from the horizontal.

13. A faucet fountain which comprises a body having means thereon forattachment to the pouring spout of a water faucet and having adownwardly directed faucet flow opening and an upwardly directedfountain flow opening, the body defining passage means therein providingfluid communication between a faucet pouring spout to which the body isattached and both of said openings; and diversion means connected to thebody and selectively movable between a fountain flow position wherein itsubstantially closes said faucet flow opening and thereby diverts waterfrom the faucet upwardly through said fountain flow opening, and afaucet flow position wherein it opens said faucet flow opening andallows downward flow of water therefrom; said diversion means comprisinga vane pivotally connected to the body and movable between a closedposition proximate the bottom of the body wherein it substantiallycloses said faucet flow opening and an open position projectingdownwardly from the bottom of the body wherein it opens said faucet flowopening, and the body including skirt means which overlaps the forwardand side edges of the vane so as to prevent objectionable spraying ofwater outwardly from between the body and vane when the vane is in itssubstantially closed position.

14. A faucet fountain which comprises a body having means thereon forattachment to the pouring spout of a water faucet and having adownwardly directed faucet flow opening and an upwardly directedfountain flow opening, the body defining passage means therein providingfluid communication between a faucet pouring spout to which the body isattached and both of said openings; and diversion means connected to thebody and selectively movable between a fountain flow position wherein itsubstantially closes said faucet flow opening and thereby diverts waterfrom the faucet upwardly through said fountain flow opening, and afaucet flow position wherein it opens said faucet flow opening andallows downward flow of water therefrom, said attachment meanscomprising a tubular faucet aerator connected to the body of thefountain with its discharge end located in said passage means in thebody, said aerator having a threaded coupler thereon for threadedengagement with a threaded faucet pouring spout, said aerator couplerhaving both internal and external threads, adapting it for threadedengagement with faucet pouring spouts having either external or internalthreads, respectively.

15. A faucet fountain which comprises a body having means thereon forattachment to the pouring spout of a water faucet and having adownwardly directed faucet flow opening and an upwardly directedfountain flow opening, the body defining passage means therein providingfluid communication between a faucet pouring spout to which the body isattached and both of said openings; and diversion means connected to thebody and selectively movable between a fountain flow position wherein itsubstantially closes said faucet flow opening and thereby diverts waterfrom the faucet upwardly through said fountain flow opening, and afaucet flow position wherein it opens said faucet flow opening andallows downward flow of water therefrom; said attachment meanscomprising a tubular faucet aerator connected to the body of thefountain with its discharge end located in said passage means in thebody, said aerator having a threaded coupler thereon for threadedengagement with a threaded faucet pouring spout, said aerator having animperforaate peripheral wall and has air inlet means for aerationlocated proximate its said discharge end, where: by when said diversionmeans is in its substantially closed fountain flow position duringfountain flow operation the water in said passage means will close offsaid air inlet means to provide solid water flow, and when saiddiversion means is in its faucet flow position wherein said faucet flowopening is opened air is available to said air 13 inlet means throughsaid faucet flow opening to provide aerated water flow.

16. A faucet fountain which comprises a body having means thereon forattachment to the pouring spout of a water faucet and having adownwardly directed faucet flow opening and an upwardly directedfountain flow opening, the body defining passage means therein providingfluid communication between a faucet pouring spout to which the body isattached and both of said openings; and diversion means connected to thebody and selectively movable between a fountain flow position wherein itsubstantially closes said faucet flow opening and thereby diverts waterfrom the faucet upwardly through said fountain flow opening, and afaucet flow position wherein it opens said faucet flow opening andallows downward flow of water therefrom; said attachment meanscomprising a tubular faucet aerator connected to the body of thefountain with its discharge end located in said passage means in thebody, said aerator having a threaded coupler thereon for threadedengagement with a threaded faucet pouring spout, said aerator beingreleasably connected to the body of the fountain by frictionalengagement between opposed tapered annular surfaces on the aerator andin the body.

17. A faucet fountain as defined in claim 16, wherein the extent of saidfrictional engagement is limited by shoulder means projecting from oneof said tapered annular surfaces.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,524,956 10/ 1950 Brunetti239-25 7 2,747,930 5/1956 Hyde 23927 3,208,671 9/1965 Gabriel 239-25 M.HENSON WOOD, In, Primary Examiner RICHARD A. SCHACHER, AssistantExaminer US. Cl. X.R. 239-4285

